Overcap with two-surface cup seal

ABSTRACT

An overcap for aerosols comprising a one-piece double shell construction, one shell having a rim for removably engaging the periphery of the aerosol container, and a second concentric inner shell having a double rim engaging both the outer and inner aspect of the valve cup for the aerosol.

United States Patent Inventor Ross L. Doyle Ramsey, NJ. 777,383

Nov. 20, 1968 Feb. 23, 1971 Sterling Drug Inc.

New York, N .Y.

Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee OVERCAP WITH TWO-SURFACE CUP SEAL 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 222/ 182, 220/42 Int. Cl B65d 51/18 Field ofSearch 222/182,

l I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I f I 5 4 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,775,372 12/1956 Jordan 222/562X 3,185,351 5/1965 Klun 222/182 3,223,298 12/1965 Roberson et al. 222/562X 3,225,958 12/1965 Frankenberg 222/182X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. l-landren Attorney- Charles R. Fay

ABSTRACT: An overcap for aerosols comprising a one-piece double shell construction; one shell having a rim for removably engaging the periphery of the aerosol container, and a second concentric inner shell having a double rim engaging both the outer and inner aspect of the valve cup for the aerosol.

OVERCAP WITH TWO-SURFACE CUP SEAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In certain containers, particularly aerosols, there is a problem of avoiding unnecessary or prolonged exposure to the atmosphere. Aerosol formulations of high solid content tend to clog the aerosol button actuator upon exposure to the atmosphere, and examples of such formulations are antiperspirants, paints, starches, etc. With formulations of this nature, the conventional overcap does not provide an airtight seal, even though it is applied at all times when the aerosol is not being used. The present invention provides a special new and improved substantially heremetically sealing overcap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The new overcap comprises an outside shell or inverted cup having a rim of generally conventional nature for holding to the aerosol at the periphery of the container thereof by friction, but being easily removed for operation of the aerosol; and an inner smaller, concentric shell, also in the form of an inverted cup, having an annular rim portion frictionally engaging the outside periphery of the valve cup that is ordinarily crimped onto the closure cap for the aerosol, said inner shell having attached thereto or formed integrally therewith relatively thin membranous element located in a diverging relationship with respect to the rim of the inner shell in such a position that it is forced to the inside of the crimp of the valve cup when the overcap is applied, thereby creating a substantially heremetical seal with respect to said valve cup, thereby maintaining the atmosphere away from the aerosol valve mounted in the valve cup, under conditions of storage, transportation, and in general when the device is not being used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the new overcap as it appears in relation to the aerosol valve prior to being applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the overcap in seated position on the aerosol; and

F IG. 3 is a bottom plan view Arrow3inFlG.1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The overcap of the present invention is adapted to be applied to a more or less conventional aerosol container which comprises a can or the like 10, a closure cap 12, the latter being crimped over the edges of the can 10, as for instance at 14, leaving a tapering groove or the like 16. The closure cap 12 usually has an open center with the inner edges thereof rolled over as at 18 for the crimped-on reception of the valve cup 20. The valve cup 20 is crimped at 22 and thus sealed with relation to the closure cap 12 and mounts the valve stem 24 on the aerosol button 26, having the usual product exit the orifice and being operated in the usual manner. The crimp at 22 forms an annular upwardly projection rounded protuberance.

The overcap is generally indicated at 28. This overcap is ordinarily made of metal or plastic and in the present case it is looking in the direction of preferred that it be made of plastic. It has a closed base at 30 and an outside rim at 32 terminating as at 34, forming the outer shell. As so far described, the overcap is more or less of conventional form and is adapted to be snapped at its rim at 34 into the groove 16 as shown in FIG. 2 in order to protect the button 24. However, with such a construction there is no hermetic seal in the groove 16 and air leaks into this overcap resulting in clogging of the orifice and possibly the valve stem in the case of certain formulations mentioned above.

The invention in the present case contemplates the provision of an inner shell generally indicated at 36, this inner shell depending from the closed base 30 and terminating in an open annular rim 38 having secured thereto or integral therewith, a thin auxiliary rim 40 which although generally self-sustaining is the nature of a deformable diaphragmfThis diaphragm rim extends in a direction inwardly from the rim a 38 on an incline forming an annular funnellike entrance or mouth at 42. Although this member could take other forms, it has been found that it is efficient and fully operative when made in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

In operation the effect of the diaphragm 40 is clearly shown in FIG. 2. When the rim at 34 of the outer shell 32 is snapped into the groove 16, at the same time the rim 38 of the inner shell 36 slides into a light-frictional engagement with respect to the outside aspect of the crimp 22 on the valve cup 20. Thus there is a double guide for the positioning of the free end of the diaphragmlike member 40 as it strikes the top edge of the crimped area 11 of valve cup 20, so that upon the rim 34 being seated as usual, the rim 38 embraces the crimped edge 22, and the diaphragm 40 is moved or warped into tight seating engagement with the upper and inner aspects of the crimped area 22. This provides a hermetical seal completely closing the valve from the atmosphere. At the same time the overcap is assembled to the can in conventional manner.

I claim:

1. The combination of an aerosol container having a closure and a valve cup attached to the closure by a crimp providing an annular rib coaxially arranged with respect to the closure, and a valve in the valve cup; with an overcap for the valve and valve cup, said overcap comprising a cylindrical member having a closed end and an open end, the open end forming a rim, an inner cylindrical shell on said closed end and extending toward the open end, said inner shell having a terminal rim located part way between the open and closed ends of said overcap, said rim comprising in general an inverted V-shaped member having an outer generally straight leg member and an inner leg member, said inner leg member being inwardly inclined with respect to the outer leg member and terminating short thereof, said inner leg member being of thinner section than the outer leg member and being deformable;

the outer leg member engaging the outer aspect of the annular rib on the closure and cup and the inner leg member engaging the top of said rib and being bent upwardly and inwardly thereby as the overcap is applied to the aerosol container; and

means at the rim of said overcap frictionally engaging corresponding means on the aerosol container to aid in holding the overcap in position. 

1. The combination of an aerosol container having a closure and a valve cup attached to the closure by a crimp providing an annular rib coaxially arranged with respect to the closure, and a valve in the valve cup; with an overcap for the valve and valve cup, said overcap comprising a cylindrical member having a closed end and an open end, the open end forming a rim, an inner cylindrical shell on said closed end and extending toward the open end, said inner shell having a terminal rim located part way between the open and closed ends of said overcap, said rim comprising in general an inverted V-shaped member having an outer generally straight leg member and an inner leg member, said inner leg member being inwardly inclined with respect to the outer leg member and terminating short thereof, said inner leg member being of thinner section than the outer leg member and being deformable; the outer leg member engaging the outer aspect of the annular rib on the closure and cup and the inner leg member engaging the top of said rib and being bent upwardly and inwardly thereby as the overcap is applied to the aerosol container; and means at the rim of said overcap frictionally engaging corresponding means on the aerosol container to aid in holding the overcap in position. 